Dispensing containers



July 10, 1956 D. WABER ET AL DISPENSING CONTAINERS v Filed Jan. 5, 19521' Il Il l1 Il mi Yl1 l Il Il l INV TOR. my?

United States Patent O DISPENSING CONTAINERS Donald Waber and RaymondBraunstein, Jr., Philadelphia, Pa.

Application January 5, 1952, Serial No. 265,147

2 Claims. (Cl. 221-246) Our invention relates to new and usefuldispensing containers and has for one of its objects to incorporate anindividual dispensing mechanism in a receptacle whereby a restrictedoutlet opening is provided for dispensing articles, one at a time, fromthe underneath portion of the receptacle so that only the one articlewhich is being dispensed has a chance of being exposed to outsidedetrimental effects.

Another object of our invention is to utilize some of the principlesembodied in the type of dispensers disclosed in U. S. Patents Nos.1,958,101 and 1,962,860 as well as those shown in our copendingapplication Ser. No. 235,502, tiled July 6, 1951, which has issued asPatent No. 2,605,892, August 5, 1952, and combine with conventionalelements thereof certain new elements to provide a novel structure whichwill accomplish the dispensing operation in an unusual manner.

Another object of this invention is to produce a dispensing containerwhich is simple in construction although highly elicient in operationfor propelling successively a predetermined number of the containedarticles through an outlet and delivering the same without the necessityof inverting the container.

Another object of the present invention is to produce a dispensingcontainer of the portable type and especially one which can be held inand operated by one hand of the user particularly by oscillations of thethumb.

Another object of our invention is to produce a dispensing containerespecially adapted for use in delivering small tablets from thecontainer or receptacle through an outlet located midway between thesides and including a relatively small sliding panel on the fixed topwall or lid of the container and said panel supporting a closure andejector so related as to first cause a predetermined number of tabletsto be isolated or separated from the main cornpartment of the containerand the articles therein and subsequently cause the outlet to be openedand the isolated or separated tablets to be ejected due to an outwardmovement of the sliding panel, said ejector also functioning as abarrier while the outlet is open to prevent unwanted discharge of othertablets during the dispensing operation.

Another object of this invention is to provide unique means for mountingthe sliding panel on the container top, closing any apertures utilizedas a part of the mounting, and limiting the reciprocating movements ofsaid sliding panel.

A further object of the invention is to divide the interior of thecontainer into a main or holding compartment of appreciable depth and ashallow delivery cornpartment, said compartments being in communicationthrough a gradually decreasing passageway formed by an `inclined wall orramp between the bottoms of said compartments.

A still further object of the present invention is to produce a normallycompletely closed dispensing container having the interior divided intoholding and deliv-A ery compartments, the bottom of the deliverycompartment being in a relatively higher offset plane than the bottom ofthe holding chamber when the container is level, the depth of thedelivery compartment or the space between the bottom of the latter andthe container top being less than one of the dimensions of the tabletsto be dispensed but substantially the same as the other dimensions ofsaid tablets whereby the tablets can enter the delivery compartment inonly one position, and an inclined wall or ramp joining the adjacentends of the bottoms of said compartments.

With the above and other objects in view this invention consists of thedetails of construction and combination of elements hereinafter setforth and then designated by the claims.

In order that those skilled in the art to which this i11- ventionappertains may understand how to make and use the Vsame we will describeits construction in detail referring by numerals to the accompanyingdrawing forming a part hereof, in which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the dispensing container constructed inaccordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1 in a tilted position forcausing the articles in the container, herein shown as small tablets, totravel towards and into the delivery compartment.

Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the position of the sliding panel, withthe associated closure and ejector, during a dispensing operation.

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4 4 of Fig. 2 illustrating certaindetails of construction and showing the position of the closure andejector when the container is completely closed.

Fig. 5 is a cross section of the apparatus on the line 5 5 of Fig. l.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the sliding panel looking at the bottomor underneath face thereof.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail section of the sliding panel on the line 77 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary perspective View of the lid or cover looking atthe front end thereof.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary section of the container illustratinga means for attaching the lid or cover to the body.

Fig. l0 is a similar view through the container body and sliding panelto illustrate a means for temporarily retaining the sliding panel in aretracted position and the closure in a closed condition.

In carrying out our invention as herein embodied 15 and 16 represent,respectively, a container or receptacle body and a lid or top formedfrom any suitable material having suicient stiffness or rigidity toretain the shapes desired and also having some inherent resiliency forpurposes to be later fully described. Either or both the body and lidmay be opaque, translucent or transparent.

The device is particularly adapted for dispensing small articles, suchas tablets, and especially tablets of the type comprised of saccharine,wherefore it is desirable that the container be relatively thin, oflaterally elongate transverse configuration throughout its entire lengthand probably of generally rectangular overall shape such as oblong. Thebody comprises a bottom having two different levels including the baseportion 17 at a low level and a platform 18 at a higher level consideredwith the container in a horizontal position. Preferably the platform 18Vis of less area, particularly lengthwise of the container, than thebase 17 and said platform and base are joined by an incline or ramp 19leading from the forward endof said base to the rear of said platform.From the bottom project the vupwardly extending perpendicular rear wall20, opposite side walls 21 and the annular from walls 2.2,. 2 whichextend. ouuyardly from. their respective side walls in convergentformation to provide what will be termed a laterally tapering spoutforpurscscs of description Each 013th@ glllufrcrltwalls .1&2x 22 is. Qtbifangdlar formation including lede obligue portion 24,.continudus a.Side formino arl obtuse angle tothe lonnitu; dirial ct the body, anda-rclati lyvshortoblique por-.tion 25. extending from, the cutcrends cithc: oblio-ue portion ,24r and. forming an acpte, angleto said axis. of'the bcdyr The. shsrtcbliarepcrricas of the iront: walls are spaced apartad. appropriate distoncete tous; the restrictcd. Outlet 2.6. 'the looseroblique por. .Qn 2&4 or

the from wan 22 is ontspannende@ s projection on.

ori-the inside thcrcof for guidinearticlss. over: the end of theejectorto. benrcscntly dcdcrilocd.

llc lids tcpfcr @over 16. is substantially permanently secured to thebody, more particularly to the rear, side and frontV wallsA thereof,`and for-p,u rpt;v s ,es` of illustration only, this lid is. shownasrecessed i-nto. the body walls and provided with sockets 2.',7-, Figs:,5, 8, and 9, t0,- reccivc projections .2S on the body walls.; Theinherent rcsiliciicy of Said body Walls llcrmiisthc. lid to bc'forfccdinto place and then, for all intents nd. purposes, permancrrtlyh-cidimposition.. This lidis, of. the saine con.- igurationas the bodyin plan providesa completely enclosed. container except for the outletopening which iscontrolled by a closure.

When the lid 16 is in place a` relatively deep end rceidri cr holdingcompartment 29 ofiannrccieblc depth is'provided at the rear 0f thecontainer 'between said'lid and the base 17 while a shallower end regionor delivery compartment Vis provided ast-the forward end of thecontainer between said lidy andthe platijlorm 18. The intermediatereceptacle region adiacent lto therlmp 19- communicates between theholding and'delivery compartments. Z9 and -En) and iscf `graduallydecreasing depth from the former compartment to the latter cprnpantmenhArticles 31 here represen-ted as tablets hav-ing greater diameters thanthickness, can be placed -in the-holding compartment at random andwhenrthe lid is assembled on the container said articles will not :becrushed When the container is tilted with the forward .end down andgiven a slight shaking the tablets will .be thrown onto their lla-tsides so that/they may enter the delivery compartment 3,0 which will.only `receive such tablets that are lying at. That is, the deliverycompartment is of a depth greater than the `thicknessauidless than thediameter of a pill .or tablet. Any tablets that arev on .edge are toolarge to enter the delivery compartment and will remain in the holdingcompartment 29` .or on the ramp 19 from which they may roll back into`said holding compartment.

In the restricted or tapered endet` thelid is -formed a longitudinalopen ended elongated'aperture 31 inthe r longitudinal axis of said lid.and the edges ofthe walls surrounding said aperature are reduced inthickness to form portions 32 of a lap joint, or tracks for the slidingpanel. To the rear of and spaced from said aperture isa longitudinalslot 33 vto limit the movements of the sliding panel.

The sliding panel 3.4.is mounted lto slide to and fro longitudinally andhas a pendantrib 35 to tit the aperture 31 with `anges 36 projecting.laterally from the lower or vinner edge of said rib Vand spaced from thepanel, parallel therewith, a distance equal `to the thickness of tracks32 so that when thev parts are assembled the panel cannot be lifted outof place but can be sldingly reciprocated. The sliding ,movements of thepanel, with its component parts, is limited .by a pin 37 y0.1 equivalentmeans projected Athrough the rearportion -of said panel andregisteringwith the slot 33. The rear end of the panel 34 is eathered'or'beveled at 3S and the corners ofthe containermay lbe rounded to`eliminate any sharp prominences.

At the forward. end. of slidinenarlcl. 3ft attendant. closure 39 whichnormally closes the exit opening from the outlet 26 and said closurepreferably snugly fits into said outlet whereby the outer face of saidclosure will be flush with the terminal edges of the angular front walls22, 23, the bottom and lid or cover. Means is provided to temporarilyretain the closure in a closed position and the associated. partsretracted which means, for purposes of illustration, is shown as arounded projection 40. on one coacting part, as the closure 39, forregistration with a socket or depression 41 in the other coacting part,as the bottom wall of the container and more specifically the platform18.

An ejector 42,` which also. functions. as an agitator and a barrier,depends or hangs from the underside of the sliding panel, particularlythe flange structure 36 of said panel, into close proximity to theplatform portion of the container bottom wall. Said ejector extendsrearwardly from the closure an appreciable distance longitudinally ofthe sliding. panel so. that when the closure is closed the rear end. ofsaid ejector projects into the delivery compartment but when saidclosure is in the fully open position the rearl end of the ejector willbe within the outlet 26.

The ejector includes a relatively thin stem 43 perpendicular to thesliding panel and a lateral nib 44. at theV inner or rear end of saidstem. The nib has a substantially dat forwardA face, for engaging anarticle to.

propel .the latter forwardly, and a curvilinear side face to deectQlhdr. articles within the delivery compartment of the container.

This ejector 42 is positioned to4 one side of. the sliding panel so thatsaid ejector assumes a position to one side of the outlet 2,6 with theback of the ejector close to the acutely oblique portion Z5 of thelangular front wall and with the nib projecting towards the Opposedportion 25 of the other angular front wall 25, The nose of the nib,formed by the meeting of the dat forward face with thc curvilinear sideface, is spaced from the adjacent portion of said front wall 2,3, atapproximately the locaf tion where the oblique portion 24 blends intothe oblique portion 2 5, to provide an entrance tto the outlet 26 whilethe ejector is retracted. rl `his entrance is of sufficient width toallow for the passage of a single article into the outlet to assume aposition forward Vof `the dat pusher face of the ejector and beside thestem 43.

When the outlet 2 6 ahead of the elector nib is lled additional articlescannot ente-r and as the ejector is proicc-ted forwardly for deliveringthe contents from said outlet 26 during the dispensing operation, theentrance to the outlet .26 is gradually .decreased laterally tc preventother articles from accidentally passing out of the container. At thetime the ejector reaches its fully projected position the rear endthereof will align with the inner surface of the projection 27a of thefront wall 22 to cause articles at the back of said ejector to roll orslide over the rlatter to. positions in front of the location of theejector.

During retraction of the ejector, the inner or rear end thereof willfunction as an agitator by engaging any articles in the path of rearwardtravel'and thereby scatter, to some extent, the articles in the deliyerycompartment 30 to assist in positioning them for subsequent entranceinto the outlet and also loosening any jammed articles.

So that the closure and ejector may be readily operated t0 and fro bythe pressure of a persons thumb a suitable area of the exterior surfaceof the sliding panel may be roughened in any well'known manner, Vas'byforming ridges thereon.

Thecperation of the device is as follows: A preselected number ofarticles are placed inthe holding compartment 29, at random, and-the lid.or cover 16 fastened in place so as to he stationary and relativelypermanent. The container is nowheld in Vone hand in a forwardly tiltedposition to cause some or all of the articles to travel over the ramp 19and enter the delivery compartment 30. One or more of the articles,depending upon the relative dimensions of the device and the articles,will pass the nose of the ejector nib 44 and enter the outlet 26 aheadof the at pusher face of said nib and rest against the closure 39. Byproper motion of the thumb the sliding panel 34 will be projectedforwardly carrying the closure and ejector with it. This action willopen the outlet and the ejector will push any articles before it out ofthe outlet where they may drop onto a surface or the persons other hand,or directly into the persons mouth without the necessity of invertingthe device. The sliding panel is then retracted by a reverse movement ofthe thumb and the ejector will push articles in its rearward path oftravel to either side so as to ready them for travel towards the outletand dislodge any that may have become jammed. Simultaneously the closurewill be moved tothe closed position and other articles may enter theoutlet ready to be dispensed. If none of the articles enter the outlet,a slight movement or shake of the device will cause them to move intoline for travel past the nose of the nib. The operations may be repeatedas often as desired and at any intervals of time.

During the dispensing operations if any of the articles are turned sothat their greater dimensions are substantially perpendicular to thebottom of the device they will be prevented from entering the deliverycompartment 30 until they are tipped over to present the smallerdimension in an upright position. This can be accompiished by simplyshaking the container until the articles fall over and thereafter sucharticles will enter the delivery compartment.

While we have illustrated the bottom of the container as having anoffset portion to dene the platform 17 from the base 18, it will beobvious that said bottom may be continuous in one plane and the platformproduced within the interior of the container.

Of course we do not wish to be limited to the exact details ofconstruction herein shown and described as these may be varied withinthe scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit ofour invention.

Having described our invention what we claim as new and useful is:

l. In a container for dispensing disc-like pills in predeterminedlimited quantities; a hollow receptacle of generally laterally elongatetransverse cross section throughout its entire length and including arelatively deep end region adapted to contain a considerable number ofpills in random orientation, a relatively shallow end region remote fromsaid relatively deep end region and of a depth greater than thethickness and less than the diameter of a pill so as to contain saidpills in a coplanar orientation, and an intermediate receptacle regioncommunicating between said end regions and of gradually decreasing depthfrom said relatively deep end region to said relatively shallow endregion to guide said pills from said random orientation in saidrelatively deep end region to their coplanar orientation in saidrelatively shallow end region, said relatively shallow end regiontapering laterally in the direction away from said intermediate regionand terminating in a restricted outlet of sumcient size to pass only apredetermined quantity of pills, a closure mounted on said receptaclefor reciprocation between a position closing said outlet and a positionoutwards of and opening said outlet, and an ejector inwards of saidclosure and rigidly connected to the latter for movement therewithtoward and away from said outlet and spaced from said closure to receivesaid predetermined quantity of pills in the space between said closureand ejector, said ejector being spaced from one tapering wall of saidrelatively shallow region in the extreme position of ejector movementaway from said outlet to individually admit said pills into the spacebetween said ejector and closure and moveable toward said one taperingwall upon opening movement of said closure to prevent the admission ofpills into the last mentioned space, whereby said ejector serves todeliver only said predetermined quantity of pills toward said outletupon opening of said closure.

2. A container according to claim 1, said ejector including a noseprojecting inwards into said relatively shallow end region and moveablewith said ejector to agitate pills in said region.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 728,027Selander May 12, 1903 862,923 LinSley Aug. 13, 1907 1,974,332 HauckSept. 18, 1934 2,086,296 Gilbert July 6, 1937 2,475,738 Epplin July 12,1949 FOREIGN PATENTS 422,751 Great Britain Jan. 17, 1935

